• It’s still undetermined where pitcher Tim Alderson will start the 2011 season. He will have to prove to Pirates Farm Director Kyle Stark during minor league spring training that he is ready for another shot at double-a.

“I have no idea where I’m going to start the season,” Alderson said. “Probably, I’ll go back to Altoona, but I’m not really looking to where I’m going to be. It’s about how I’m going to react and be able to pitch. If I can pitch (well), no matter where I’m at, I’ll have a good shot of getting back to where I used to be.”

Here, he tells the story of how it felt to be demoted to High-A in 2010.

• The Kansas City Royals have signed left-hander Jeff Francis to a one-year deal.

Francis, who has spent seven seasons with the Rockies, has a 55-50 record with a 4.77 ERA in 150 games.

The Pirates were reported to be interested Francis. Clint Hurdle managed Francis for five years when he was manager in Colorado.

• Former Pirates pitcher Ian Snell signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.
• Jose Tabata did not make MLB Network’s “Top 10 left fielders -right now” list that aired on Thursday night. He did, however, receive a mention to those players to just miss.